At first glance RS Performance’s latest creation, the RSW Evo, could be taken for a heavily modified Lotus Exige. The reality is rather different however, for whilst it has its origins in the Exige (or Elise) it is a very different animal. Unveiled at the Autosports Show on 8 January, the self-styled “ultimate GT” is intended as a track car but can also be equipped for road use. To date it has already been accepted for Britcar Class 1 and Time Attack Pro competition, but not GT Cup.

Each car will be built to individual specification, but essentially RS Performance source a brand-new Exige or Elise, according to customer choice, from a main dealer before stripping the car completely until only the original aluminium chassis remains. This allows the Evo to be registered as a new car, but eventually RS hope that they can persuade Lotus to supply them direct with chassis units. 

Build then begins with Pilbeam-designed and built rear subframe being fitted, extending the wheelbase by some 230mm to 2530mm. This incorporates Pilbeam’s own lightweight wishbones and CNC anodised uprights together with Koni dampers; Ohlins or Nitron are options. The engine and gearbox, mounted low in the chassis, provides suspension pick-up points single-seater style. At the front, lightweight wishbones again feature, together with an adjustable, hollow anti-roll bar.

Power comes from a choice of V6 or V8 powerplants in both naturally aspirated and supercharged form, developed by RS themselves. The 2.3-litre V6 is claimed to develop 360bhp @ 10,000rpm in n/a form, or in excess of 500bhp @ 10,000rpm for the s/c version. Figures for the 2.4-litre V8 are 380bhp @ 10,000rpm for n/a and again in excess of 500bhp for the s/c. The power is handled by a Sadev SL90-20 six-speed sequential ‘box, together with LSD and hydraulic clutch. Lobro joints and Sadev drive shafts. With the standard gearing a top speed of 207.5 mph and a sub three-second    0-60 time is claimed. The combination of Pectel data-logging and pneumatic paddle shift should ensure that the engine is never over-revved. Stopping it all should be taken care of by 4-pot AP Racing calipers all round, together with 315mm front discs, 295mm rear.

The bodywork is all-new, designed by John Keogh, and as an option can be created entirely in carbon, but essentially is manufactured to customer specification. Overall weight is lower than the original car but will of course vary according to specification. Inside the cockpit, only the dash and airbags are retained from the original. A FIA-specification roll cage is on the options list, as are air jacks and inboard brake adjustment. Build time is 12-14 weeks from receipt of the donor vehicle.

Prices range from £150,000 to £200,000 plus VAT, according to specification, so this is clearly not a cheap car. With the first car due to run in about three weeks’ time, RS attracted a lot of attention at the NEC, taking a number of orders on the first day, with two of them (to Le Mans spec.) destined for South Africa.  

There can be no doubt about the quality of the product. Russell Savory – the RS in RS Performance – has a long history in the business going back over 30 years having been involved in motorcycle racing with the likes of Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda, running successful Superbike and Superstock teams. He also worked with Gordon Murray on the Rocket sports car. A more recent project was the development of the RST-V8-powered Caterham Levante.

Mike Pilbeam, responsible for the design of the suspension etc., should need no introduction either. He has been in motor sport for many years, including working for Team Lotus in the early seventies. Subsequently he set-up Pilbeam Racing from where he has been responsible for a variety of single-seat and sports-racers as well as working on touring car projects and the like for major manufacturers such as Honda, Peugeot and Vauxhall. His input into the RSW Evo is such that it even has a Pilbeam type number, MP99.

What, you might be wondering, do Lotus themselves think of the Evo? We await their response with interest!

John Elwin
January 2009

Some new pictures supplied by RS Performance added 14/1/09:

 
RS Performance  - www.rsperformance.co.uk

Pilbeam Racing  -  www.pilbeamracing.co.uk

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Presenter - Gemma Scott